Navy Federal Credit Union

During World War II, Walter Beckham became a TRIPLE ACE with 18 victories. On February 22, 1944, on his 57th mission, he was hit by flak over Ostheim. He bailed out successfully, but was captured and remained a POW until April, 1945. He retired in 1969 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 227 (December 21, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Walter Carl Beckham (ASN: 0-430771), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 fighter airplane of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 22 (January 27, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Walter Carl Beckham (ASN: 0-430771), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 fighter airplane of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Walter Carl Beckham (ASN: 0-430771), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, culminating as chief scientist, Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, in 1969. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Beckham culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Walter Carl Beckham (ASN: 0-430771), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Walter Carl Beckham (ASN: 0-430771), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Walter Carl Beckham (ASN: 0-430771), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Walter Carl Beckham (ASN: 0-430771), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 337 (May 3, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Walter Carl Beckham (ASN: 0-430771), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 fighter airplane of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Walter Carl Beckham (ASN: 0-430771), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 227 (December 21, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Walter Carl Beckham (ASN: 0-430771), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 fighter airplane of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.